Firedogs and firside accessories

The fire set, also called fireplace accessories, is essential to a good fire handling. First you need a good pair of firedogs, used to raise the logs. They are usually made out of cast iron, wrought iron, bronze or brass. The stand (part inside the hearth) usually remains of simple appearance while the head (the front part outside the hearth) shows a stylish decor such as Renaissance, Louis XV, neogothic or even modern, like the Schenck (circa 1940) pair of andirons, or a  Regence period firedogs that can be found at Paul Bert Serpette. Then you need a good bellows to fan the fire and feed it with air. The poker is a metallic rod used to manipulate the logs without getting burned. The embers shovel and the fire tongs are used to gather coal and embers. The stand holds all the fire accessories. The cast iron fire back directs the heat towards the room (on occasion you can find a wooden fire back pattern). The fire screen is positioned in front of the hearth.